Under the sky

Chapter 244

Prince Tucker was the son of Lotyalian. Xie Yunjin had lived in Naibubadu for several months, so he naturally knew who he was, but he didn't know who Gao Leqi was.

When the opportunity came, Xie Yunjin couldn't let it go, so he hurriedly said: "Please sit down."

Gao Leqi looked at the chair, frowned, and wanted to wipe it with a handkerchief, but stopped, looked at the chessboard, and suddenly said: "Stretch out your hand."

Xie Yunjin stretched out his hand.

"Turn over." Gao Leqi said.

Xie Yunjin turned his hand over and let Gao Leqi take a closer look. His nails were neatly manicured.

"It's still a little dirty." Gao Leqi turned around and approached the carriage. Xie Yunjin thought he was going back to the carriage, but was disappointed when he heard Gao Leqi respectfully say to the people in the carriage, "Rotharian, I If you want to stay and play chess before going to celebrate Prince Hu Gen’s birthday, it won’t take long.”

"Where's Tucker?" The middle-aged man's voice came from inside the car, a little weak but dignified.

"I want to stay and watch Gao Leqi lose chess." Tucker replied, "This is very close to my uncle's residence. Father, just leave a few guards to protect us."

The person in the car smiled cheerfully and replied: "Don't play for too long."

The steps were retracted, the doors were closed, and the carriage drove off.Gao Leqi wiped the chess pieces carefully with a hand towel, took out a new hand towel and handed it to Xie Yunjin: "Wipe your hands." Then he wiped the chair before sitting down.Xie Yunjin considers himself a person who loves cleanliness, but Gao Leqi loves cleanliness even more than him.

Tucker was not so particular and ordered the guard to pull up a chair and sit down.

"It turns out to be Prince Tucker and the prince's friend." Xie Yunjin saluted with his left hand on his chest, "My name is Jin Yunjin."

Gao Leqi took out a small piece of broken silver and did not throw the silver on the table. Instead, he politely waited for Xie Yunjin to stretch out his hand before placing the silver in his hand.

Xie Yunjin didn't reach out.

"It's an honor for me to play chess with two such big shots." Xie Yunjin said, "I don't want money."

Tucker frowned: "If you want to play chess, play quickly."

Gao Leqi said: "Don't be impatient." He then asked, "You don't want money, what do you want?"

"I have a little wish. It's very small and can be easily realized. If I win, I hope the two distinguished adults can do me a little favor." Xie Yunjin said.

"It's not fair. I won with only one sheepskin." Gao Leqi said, "My family has no shortage of sheepskins."

"My wish will not be much more difficult for you two adults than getting a sheepskin. If you don't accept it, you can refuse it then."

"Okay, I just want to see you beat Gao Leqi to a pulp." Tucker said, "I agreed."

"Grand chess or chess?" Xie Yunjin asked.

"Play chess first." Gao Le said curiously, wrapping his fingers in a handkerchief and pushing up the middle elephant.

Gao Leqi is very young, only 12 years old, three years younger than Xie Yunjin, but his chess skills are unexpectedly high, and he must have spent a lot of time on it.But after only a few steps, Xie Yunjin knew that he would definitely win. The age gap of three years was quite large, and there was Tucker next to him.

"Why don't you eat his elephant?"

"Vault! Vault! Why don't you do a vault! Do you want to lose to Gao Leqi on purpose and flatter him? If you lose, I will definitely punish you!"

"The general is almost here, come on! Fuck his soldiers to death!"

Tucker kept giving advice, which made Gao Leqi upset.At first, Xie Yunjin wanted to give him a few words of guidance, but later found that it was too difficult, and Tucker's chess skills were still at the stage of taking whatever he could.

"Prince Tucker, there is a saying in the pass: A true gentleman watches chess without speaking. They will engrave this sentence on the chessboard." Gao Leqi said gently.

"There are blind people in the pass. Can the blind people listen to their words?" Tucker said, "The wisdom of many people is stronger than the wisdom of one person!"

Gao Leqi was too lazy to explain and asked Xie Yunjin: "Can you play blind chess?"

Xie Yunjin nodded: "Yes."

"Then let's play the game again." Gao Leqi said, "Horse two goes into three."

"Seven advances to one."

Tucker saw them playing blind chess and couldn't get a word in, so he could only stand aside in a daze.

It was Tucker's idea to come and play chess with Xie Yunjin.Tucker has also played chess. This is Gao Leqi's statement. Gao Leqi said that Tucker can only be said to have played chess, but not to know how to play chess.The first time Gao Leqi played chess was taught by Tucker. Tucker won, just in this one game. Tucker didn't win from the second game on. Gao Leqi was only eight years old at that time, and Tucker was older than Gao Leqi. Qi is six years old.

Gao Leqi soon became one of the best chess players among the nobles. He would even play chess with the priests of the priesthood. Even Potu Xiaoji, the best chess player among them, praised his intelligence.

Tucker was depressed. Although Gao Leqi firmly denied it, Tucker felt that Gao Leqi must think he was a fool and wanted to kill Gao Leqi's spirit and make Gao Leqi a fool.But there is no point in letting those players who are much older than him defeat him, after all, age and experience are not there.

When he heard that there was an undefeated young chess player in Batu, he wanted to encourage Gao Leqi to challenge him.Xie Yunjin is a Han Chinese, a late bloomer, he is fifteen years old and has just lost his childishness. He looks about the same age as Gao Leqi.Of course, Gao Leqi knew what Prince Tucker was planning. He just wanted to lose, and he was not very interested in this matter.

Prince Hu Gen's birthday banquet was something that Gao Leqi couldn't recommend. He was actually curious about whether this young chess player was really that good. After all, he was only 12 years old. Although he was a mature child - Tucker said that he had always liked to show off since he was a child. Somewhat competitive.

If he wins, doesn't it also mean that his chess skills are superb, far superior to everyone in Batu?

It's a pity that Gao Leqi couldn't do it as he wished. He worked very hard.This man can kill all the ordinary people in Nabu Batu within twenty days. His chess skills are indeed amazing. If he can practice for two or three more years, he may be able to compete with him.

He used blind chess and played extremely fast in an attempt to expose Xie Yunjin's flaws, but in vain.After playing twenty or so moves, Gao Leqi knew that he had lost and would lose the next game as well. There was a gap in their chess abilities.

Seeing that Gao Leqi had not spoken for a long time, Tucker asked: "How about it, win or lose?"

Gao Leqi shook his head: "I lost." Then he said, "You are very powerful, but Potu Xiaoji is better than you."

Xie Yunjin said, "I know, I've lost to Sheepskin before." Then he asked, "Are you playing big chess?"

Gao Leqi nodded.

The longer Go was played, the more bored Tucker became, but he still wanted to watch Gao Leqi lose.In less than half an hour, Gao Leqi was defeated again.

"I lost." Gao Leqi shook his head.

Tucker looked at Gao Leqi and smiled: "I just said you won't always win."

Gao Leqi looked indifferent: "Victory and defeat are commonplace in military affairs. Maybe I can win again in a few years."

Tucker was satisfied that he could tease Gao Leqi for a while, then turned to ask Xie Yunjin: "What is your wish?"

Xie Yunjin knew that the opportunity had come, he put his left hand on his chest and said respectfully: "I want to ask Prince Tucker for a favor." He took out the recommendation letter from his arms, "I want to take the exam for the Priest College, but my recommendation letter was opened. "

"I would like to ask Prince Tucker to recommend me to enter the Priesthood."

Tucker frowned immediately.

"It's not difficult. The priests in the Priesthood can write letters of recommendation." Xie Yunyan said, "But I don't know the priests. With the authority of Prince Tucker, can you help me with this?"

"Why should I help you?" Tucker said in a bad tone, "The Arien Palace cannot interfere with the affairs of the Priesthood. It is not good for me to have you become a priest. If you win chess, Gao Leqi has also given you money."

He turned to leave, and Xie Yunyan said, "Maybe I can help you in the future?"

Gao Leqi pulled Tucker's sleeve and asked Xie Yunjin: "In the future?"

Xie Yunyan said: "If I am admitted to the Priesthood, it will be all the favor of Prince Tucker and Lord Gao Leqi, and I will definitely repay it."

Gao Leqi said: "Tucker, do him this favor."

Tucker pursed his lips and asked dissatisfiedly: "Why?"

"Because God Sa needs a smart servant." Gao Leqi said, "He is smart enough to serve God Sa and promote God's teachings."

Tucker looked reluctant, snorted, and finally said: "Okay, I'll help you find a way. Will you still be here in the future?"

Xie Yunjin said hurriedly: "I live in a nearby alley, and my father is the captain of Luskal's personal guard."

"That disgusting Luce?" Tucker frowned again.Gao Leqi covered his nose with a handkerchief, as if hearing the name made him stink.

"We will respond to your wishes," Gao Leqi said. "I wish you good luck in your exams."

Tucker and Gao Leqi left surrounded by guards. Xie Yunjin breathed a sigh of relief and felt excited.

One step closer to returning to the customs.

He packed up the chess stall and never came out again.Although he lost a sheepskin, he made a lot of money, won a lot of prize money, and the silver reward given by the mysterious powerful man was also very generous.

The waiting days were excruciating, but fortunately it didn’t take long.Two days later, Gao Leqi personally sent a letter of recommendation for Potu Xiaoji.

"You are very smart and good at chess." Gao Leqi said, "We can play chess together in the future."

Jin Fuzi's repeated remarks worried Xie Yunjin. He could not get another recommendation letter.He comforted Master Jin, saying that he was admitted to the priesthood just to help his father's reputation, and that he wanted to live in Batu permanently or serve as a priest in the village. He was determined to stay outside the customs.The exam went very smoothly. With his intelligence and repeated study and understanding of the doctrine, he passed it on the first try and topped the list.

Students who enter the priesthood are called school priests. The school priests have to study classic teachings in the priesthood for several years. They do not start serving until the teachers think that their beliefs are firm enough and their understanding of the teachings is thorough enough. This may take several years. It may take more than ten years.

After entering the priesthood, the life of the priests is guaranteed. The priesthood will provide scholarships to train students. Although it is meager, it is barely enough to live on. Fabrics will also be given to make clothes in winter and summer. It is said that this system has been in existence for more than a hundred years. Learned from the former dynasty in the pass.Xie Yunjin finally no longer needs to rely on Master Jin for support, but he knows that it is not yet time to get rid of Master Jin.

Most of the priests will learn other abilities in the priesthood, which are related to the work assigned in the future after leaving the priesthood.Those who learn martial arts well and are good at military strategy will enter the Guards Army. Once they enter, they will be a small commander, who can lead a team of a hundred people. Ordinary Guardsmen will spend several years, and they must have the opportunity to become a squad leader of the same position.

If you study the teachings carefully, have good conduct and knowledge, you will stay in the priesthood and teach the priests as a teacher. This is a stable job.Those who know the chores of farming, weaving, accounting, and medicine and are willing to be transferred to remote areas can go to the tribes to serve as small sacrifices. This is the ideal of many school priests, especially those in wealthy places.To serve as a small priest in poor areas, in addition to being versatile, you also need to have more faith and a spirit of sacrifice and dedication.

Those who stay in the priesthood to assist Sasi are all top talents. This is the most difficult thing. They hold power and usually can be recruited into the priesthood only by performing well in other priesthoods. Only a few people can directly enter the priesthood from the priesthood. hospital work.

When Gursas was young, there was one, there was the chief priest Mende who was regarded as the successor of Gursas, there was the young priest Hilidege, and there was the older priest Potu.

Xie Yunjin didn't see the priest who recommended him until he entered the priest's courtyard.

Potu is a gentle and kind man. Although he is only 27 or eight years old, he is as kind as an old father and always welcomes people with a smile.He originally wanted to be a small priest in a remote village, but was left as an aide by Gultha. He always thought about the people, always understood the people's sentiments, and made suggestions to Gultha.

Botu was no stranger to Xie Yunjin: "That kid Gao Leqi came to me to play chess and mentioned your matter. You beat him at chess and he interceded for you."

"You didn't take the priesthood exam for the first time until you were 15, and you got No. 1 in the first exam." Potu asked, "Can you tell your story?"

Xie Yunjin, who was already familiar with the history and geography of the Sa people, had already made up another story with Jin Fuzi.They originally lived in Suma Batu, a moderate religious sect. Because they came into contact with the Tenggers Sutra, they moved to the village of Wala Xiaoji. They obtained a letter of recommendation from Wala Xiaoji and came to Naibubadu.

"Wala Xiaoji's village was attacked by refugees, and Wala Xiaoji died. Did you know?"

Xie Yunjin looked shocked and sad. The shock was fake, but the sadness was real.

"How could it be...Wala Xiaoji is a good person, and the villagers are all good people..."

He thought of Tuya and the villagers, and his eyes turned red.

Potu nodded and patted his shoulder: "Sa God will guide them in the direction, and they will rest beside Sa God. Naibuba will punish the refugees who make mistakes."

Even so, Xie Yunjin knew that those refugees would quickly flee their original place of residence to avoid being annihilated.

"Let's play chess again if we have a chance in the future." Potato Koji said with a smile.

The school priests all live in the school building near the priest's courtyard. Some students can live in the priest's courtyard, usually those with better grades or the children of powerful people.Xie Yunjin lived at home and had to walk for more than half an hour every day to go to the priest's academy to go to school. This was to appease Master Jin and prevent him from causing trouble.

A few days later, a carriage or two stopped in front of his house. Prince Tucker and Gao Leqi got off the carriage. Master Jin was not there at that time.

"You are very powerful. Not only did you enter the Priesthood, you are also ranked first." Tucker praised him.

"It's the grace of God Sa." Xie Yunyan put his left hand on his chest and saluted respectfully.

"You just won a game of chess..."

"Two games, chess and big chess." Gao Leqi corrected Tucker.

"You won two games of chess, but I helped you find a letter of recommendation from Potu Xiaoji." Tucker said, "But I'm not here to ask for favors from you."

"I think we can be good friends." Tucker said, "Don't misunderstand me. I don't have any requirements, and I don't plan to ask you to help with anything. I just want to say that we can keep in touch in the future, and you can call me if you need anything. I."

"This is my gift. Congratulations on being admitted to the Priesthood." Tucker took out a stack of banknotes from his arms.Silver notes are not easy to use in Sajiao. Except for the five big buses and a few large tribes, most of them don't have silver numbers to exchange. However, in Nabu Batu, it is easy to convert silver notes into copper coins and silver taels.

Gao Leqi also gave him a gift, a jade chess set that was exactly the same as the one he originally bought.

"Study hard and leave the money to me. I think you have the ability to stay in the priesthood in the future. If you encounter trouble and need help, ask your father to tell Prince Hugen and I will help you deal with it."

Xie Yunjin had to accept it. Only then did he understand why Gao Leqi held Tucker back that day and why Gao Leqi was willing to help him.Gao Leqi judged that with his intelligence, he had a high probability of entering the Priesthood and having the opportunity to stay in the Priesthood. He wanted to use his talents to make friends with him.

This 12-year-old child is also a scheming person.

Xie Yunjin studied at the Priest's College for a year. He estimated that given his current situation, he would be able to graduate from the Priest's College in about three to four years.During this year, he secretly inquired about the Holy Road, but no one could answer. Although many people had heard of this road, no one knew where it was.

A year later, Potu Xiaoji came to him.

"You performed very well." Little Priest Potu said, "Normally I wouldn't ask this question to students who have just entered the Priest Academy for the first year, but your performance is really outstanding."

"What position do you want to hold after leaving the priesthood?"

"Flame!" Xie Yunjin blurted out. It took him two years to finally have the opportunity to express his thoughts, "I want to shine the light of God Sa into the pass!"

"Oh?" Potu Xiaoji was surprised, "I didn't expect you to set your sights on this. I thought you would want to be a tribal priest or stay in the priesthood to work. Do you know that the pass is very dangerous?"

"I know." Xie Yunyan said, "I am willing to take risks for God Sa, even if I am pierced through the heart by a sharp blade."

Potu nodded: "With your performance, you have no chance. Come with me..."

Xie Yunjin didn't ask any questions and silently followed Potu Xiaoji through the outer hall and into the depths of the priest's courtyard.

That is a place where the priests are not allowed to enter without permission.

He passed through a small garden with a statue of Saint Talish and came to a magnificent and solemn hall. Eleven people stood at the door of the hall, one of whom was Kong Xiaoji.

Xie Yunjin's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and he vaguely guessed where this was.

The giant door opened, and he saw the little priest of Hillideg standing next to an old man.The old man was sitting on the big bed, wearing a white high hat embroidered with a golden sun. He had deep wrinkles on his face and a pair of big eyes with green pupils.

He met him several times, when he preached, when he expounded the scriptures, he would appear at festivals, and demonstrate his wisdom before the school festival.

This is the most powerful person among the five great Badu - Gursasi.

"Child, come here." Gulthas waved and called in a hoarse and kind voice.

Xie Yunjin thought that one day he would meet Gursasi, but he didn't expect it to be so soon and at such a close distance.Under the majesty of Gulthas, he actually felt that his feet were shaking a little. He mustered up the courage to face the majestic old man, put his left hand on his chest, and knelt down on one knee: "God bless Gulthas. Jin Yunjin, the academic priest, sees the noble ancient Ersus."

"Sa God bless you." Gursasi said.

Xie Yunjin turned to Xili Dege respectfully and said hello: "How is Xili Dege's little sacrifice?"

Hillidegg nodded and said, "Sa God gives you light."

"Gulthas summoned his disciples, what are your instructions?"

"Hiledeg is about to be promoted." Gulthas said, "I want you to be my companion."

Xie Yunjin was shocked.

The assistant pen is the clerical work of copying the edicts for Gursas. In name, it is only the substitute pen of Gursas. It is mostly performed by minor priests or academic priests. In fact, it is the center of power of Nabu Badu and all orders of Gursas. Everyone knows first.Moreover, Bianbi needs to accompany Gulthas all the time. He is one of the closest people and can even express his opinions to influence Gulthas's decision-making.

Although the position is low, this position is only given to those whom Gulthas wants to cultivate.Hillidegg Xiaoji has been a pen writer for five years, and he is also recognized as the best among Xiaoji.

"I...I have only been in the Priesthood for a year." Xie Yunyan said, "I'm afraid I can't afford it."

Even if he was admitted to the top of the list and performed well, there would be a top every year, and he would perform well in each top, which was completely insufficient to hold the position of Gulsa's companion a year later.

"Don't be nervous, be comfortable." Gulthas said in a kind voice, "This is not the first time you have been so close to me. More than a year ago, we were separated by a room."

Xie Yunjin was taken aback again, but he was extremely alert and understood immediately: "You...you are...the one who sent someone to play chess with me..."

Gulthas smiled and nodded.

The knot that had lasted for more than a year was finally solved. Xie Yunjin never expected that the dignitary who sent someone to play chess with him turned out to be Gursasi.

But he still didn't understand. Could it be that Gulthas loved playing chess, and if he played chess well, he would be favored by Gulthas?I heard that Potu Xiaoji is also very good at playing chess. Is this why he was reused?

But in the first game, he managed to make peace, but in the second game, he was completely cheating.

"I don't play chess well." Xie Yunjin admitted, "I should have lost. I lost both games."

"I know." Gursasi said, "Chess is a battlefield, and big chess is the general trend. Take the battle position first, defend if the situation is chaotic, and attack if you can't defend. Your judgment between the battlefield and the general trend is very good, especially in the end. One hand."

Xie Yunjin was stunned again.

"You should do whatever it takes to achieve your goal. It's good that you deceived the person who summoned me and tried to lure me out." Gulthas nodded, "If you can't win in the game, win outside the game. This is the most exquisite move. .”

"This is cheating," Xie Yunjin said.

"Actually, I also cheated." Gulthas smiled, "The one who played chess with you that day was Potu Xiaoji, and the one who played big chess with you..." He looked to his side, and Hillidege nodded slightly: " It's down there."

Xie Yunjin was stunned again.

(End of this chapter)